The NSW and ACT Governments say they are taking important steps towards developing the first joint water trading framework to deliver an extra 6.36 gigalitres (GL) of water to the environment.

Both jurisdictions say they are working closely together to develop a “robust water trading framework” that will help them meet their commitments to the Commonwealth’s Murray-Darling Basin Plan.

“As a fellow signatory to the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, we want to support the ACT in meeting its environmental water targets and ensuring everyone is doing their bit to restore our rivers,” NSW Minister for Water Rose Jackson said.

“The reality is the national capital is landlocked by our state, and they can’t deliver this water back to the system without our help.

“The proposed water trading framework will not only be good news for the environment – it will also allow us to explore how we can work together to improve access and support greater regional development in the future.”

Once in place, the framework will enable environmental water from the ACT to be released into the Murrumbidgee River in NSW through Burrinjuck Dam, supporting healthier rivers, ecosystems and communities.

Currently, there is no way that water can be transferred into NSW from the ACT under the Murrumbidgee Regulated River Water Source Water Sharing Plan, so the NSW Government is proposing to amend these rules by 1 July 2025.

“This is an important step which will benefit our local waterways and fulfill our commitment to return water to the system,” ACT Minister for Water Suzanne Orr said.

“Improving river flows within the Murrumbidgee River catchment not only helps support the Murray-Darlin Basin but also catchment health, the environment and regional communities.

“I look forward to continuing to work closely with the NSW Government to progress this critical work.”

Targeted information sessions and consultations that will provide more detail on the amendments to establish a water trading framework will be carried out in late February 2025.